My first BVB Barb

[Anger-DRS]

My first BVB Barb

Though I rarely play barbs and are far more accustomed to Palas (gg BVC and Frenzy Barbs) Europe has suddenly gotten a huge boost in the term of BVB'ers, the deutch league even having BVB as part of the category (too bad I can't speak duetch)

So damnit I want in, I want as many people as possible to give me tips/tricks etc before I start making this barb.

First off, I need to name him, the only stipulating being that he has to have "DRS-" as a prefix, though I guess I could make him non clan character...

Secondly is equipment, this is wear I go wrong...my other Barbs equipment was the following:-

Arreats
Enigma Duskshroud
Draculs
Stormshield
ebotd BA or GA
Gores
Angelic + Raven + angelic Amu
Verdungos

I've seen numerous posts outlining either leviathans or eth carapace? what works out better?

If possible, can we discuss an "ideal" equipment listing, how much life should I aim for pre-BO, what BP of FHR is most ideal to hit, what do I socket my stuff with once I've hit 50% Damage Reduction?

Help much appreciated

[Herald of Doom]

If possible, can we discuss an "ideal" equipment listing, how much life should I aim for pre-BO, what BP of FHR is most ideal to hit, what do I socket my stuff with once I've hit 50% Damage Reduction?

Before we do that, let's discuss this:

the deutch league even having BVB as part of the category (too bad I can't speak duetch)

It's duits in dutch, but german in english :lol:

And use the almighty eth Carapace for BvB, I haven't tested levi but carapace works great. I can't give more advice now because I'm getting a haircut. My gf made me go, I don't think I need one yet. Lousy new gf's always think they have a monopoly on hairknowledge, my hair's been long for 3 years now, I think I know when to get a haircut. [/END RANT]

HoD

[Halciet]

You're better off going with Eth carapace, levi, or even Stone or Duress in bvb, since enigma has such low defense and is used mainly for BvC. Between Storm and Verdungo's you should have max PDR, so after that you need to socket with ed/x jewels, where x is IAS for berserk/conc builds and str for whirlwind.

Finally, unless you go berserk, FHR breaks are pretty much pointless. Both conc and ww can't be interrupted, so no real reason it for either. I get the 48% one, just for karma.

-Hal

[Anger-DRS]

Right, thanks guys.

HoD: Yeah I get the hair thing too, mines past my shoulders...and shall remain so as it suits me alot more.

Ok, so I shall go with ED/Dex jewels then, is FBR worthwhile?

[Herald of Doom]

You're better off going with Eth carapace, levi, or even Stone or Duress in bvb, since enigma has such low defense and is used mainly for BvC.

-Hal
My friend's BvB barb has used a lot of different armors, and according to him the list should be like this (not tested by me, just advice from an above average BvB barb):

1)Eth Carapace
2)Duress in a very high defense armor
3)Enigma 'archon plate"
4)Levi (only near perfect, if it doesnt have high defense+high dmg reduce you might as well use a shaft)
5)Arky+2
6)Stone

If you can afford to use an eth Stone, eth Duress or eth arky (perhaps use it on a merc with 1durability left) this might change a LOT, but I don't have info about that. Also, depending on the rest of your equipment or just personal prefernce you might get another rating.

HoD

[ToThePoint]

4)Levi (only near perfect, if it doesnt have high defense+high dmg reduce you might as well use a shaft)
As (almost) all bvb barbs will use a storm then the dr can be anything as only 15% is needed for max dr.

[rikstaker]

I can't give more advice now because I'm getting a haircut. My gf made me go, I don't think I need one yet. Lousy new gf's always think they have a monopoly on hairknowledge, my hair's been long for 3 years now, I think I know when to get a haircut. [/END RANT]

HoD

:clap:

P.S: I need a haircut too :cheesy:
----------------
On the topic:

There are three schools(builds) in BVB,one is the raw damage oriented build of botd/cleaver, the 2nd one is that of openwounds with fury,kingslayer netting upto 100% ow alongwith dracs & gores, the third one is the accuracy oriented build, its based on high end fools mod rare weapon.You can hit around 30k ar,which increases your chance to hit by more than 10% compared to the conventional builds.A big advantage.

The priorites of the builds are somewhat different.For e.g if you take the ow route,your priority is to prolong the fight for your ow to work,for that you need to pay great attention to defense.Similarly for damage oriented builds its in your best interest to keep it short,so your priority is ar,ar & more ar.

For high end serious BVB the following setup is standard issue regardless of build:

Arreats
Stormshield
Any high defense Eth armor(carapace,valor,stone etc...)
Gore riders
verdungos
Dual angelics-yes youll need upwards of 20k are to have a decent chance of breaking through 30k+ defense barbs.

The optional gear being dracs/steelrends.

more detail on the three builds in the BVB section of the guide.

Rik :cheesy:

[Herald of Doom]

As (almost) all bvb barbs will use a storm then the dr can be anything as only 15% is needed for max dr.
True :cheesy:
My friend ment max defense+strenght, I just copied it wrong, and without thinking about :lol:

PS:Rik, as soon as I get my haircut I'm gonna take a pic and send it to the ETF pic gallery, so you can enjoy more HoD!

HoD

[Zigot_HD]

Hi, does anyone know what is the item lvl of carapace and what monsters will drop it? Thx

[Herald of Doom]

Hi, does anyone know what is the item lvl of carapace and what monsters will drop it? Thx
Steel Carapace
Shadow Plate
Defense: 1618-1785 (varies)(Base Defense: 446-557)
Required Level: 66
Required Strength: 230
Durability: 70
+190-220% Enhanced Defense (varies)
Regenerate Mana 10-15% (varies)
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
Cold Resist +40-60% (varies)
Damage Reduced by 9-14 (varies)
Repairs 1 Durability in 20 Seconds
8% Chance To Cast Level 6 Iron Maiden When Struck
(Only Spawns In Patch 1.10 or later)

If you need any info about items just use http://www.battle.net/diablo2exp/
The monsters that can drop it are all in hell, but I don't have time to check atma atm. Someone else could help you, or you could look it up yourself ;)

HoD